(That’s the Sound Spring Makes)

Considering the winter we’ve just been through (and some would say it’s not quite over), nearly everyone is breathing a sigh of relief now that Spring is here! Warmer months DO bring less severe road and driving conditions. However, there are stillvehicle maintenance, insurance, and driving tips that can save time, money, and even lives.

For starters, don’t jump the gun at the first sign of warm weather. Water on roadways can freeze at night long after the last snowfall—especially at high altitudes and in far northern climes. If you drive on winter tires, a good piece of advice, according to reliable sources, is to wait till temperatures stay above 45-degrees (F) before shedding snow tires for good.But you shouldn’t wait on ALL things. For example, check your tires and windshield wiper blades before spring rains start to fall to be sure that they’re up to their respective tasks. For tires, the penny test should tell you whether you’ve got enough tread depth to clear away water. And to ensure good visibility in a wide range of conditions, be sure to check windshield wiper blades and replace them if they’re worn, or leave streaks.And as weather turns from temperate to downright hot, perform routine checks and maintenance on the stuff that keeps the “hot side hot and the cool side cool,” such as radiators and cooling systems; batteries and electrical systems; and air conditioning.

In today’s over-scheduled world, any information that isn’t at your fingertips is out of sight, out of mind. So when you set down the mail, it’s easy to forget about that ticket you need to pay from when the motion-sensor camera caught you driving through a red light. However, where you forget, the DMV remembers. Your Oklahoma driving record has the ability to affect many areas of life, some of which may surprise you. Here are eight ways your driving record could injure your future:

Auto insurance: Insurers determine car insurance quotes based on many factors, one of which is your driving record. It’s no surprise that these companies prefer to insure Edmond, OK residents who drive safely and file few claims. For this reason, multiple tickets and accidents on your record can result in higher premiums. How high? A speeding ticket can raise your auto insurance quote by up to 20 percent. A more serious offense, such as reckless driving or a DUI, can cause your rate to skyrocket by up to 300 percent.

Life insurance: Similarly, life insurance premiums are determined by your risk of dying. An unsafe driver has a higher risk of being involved in a serious accident, which can knock you down to a less preferred tier of life insurance, complete with a premium that can be several hundred dollars more per year.

Credit score: If you neglect to pay a ticket, like in our example above, your credit score can take a hit. Once the bill’s deadline comes and goes, fees are slapped onto the amount you already owe. You may start getting calls from collection agencies saying that you owe a huge amount, at which point you remember that bill that you set aside for later…ten weeks ago. By then, it’s too late. Your deflated credit can affect your ability to apply for a loan, credit card or even to rent an apartment.

License suspension: Serious driving infractions and unpaid tickets often result in the suspension of your license. In such cases, the Oklahoma DMV can refuse to register your car, which can lead to more tickets if you continue to drive an unregistered car or with a suspended license. It’s a cyclical mess that can be difficult to get out of.

Hard time: Hard time in jail, that is. Unpaid tickets can result in a misdemeanor charge and a warrant for your arrest. Not to mention, a DUI can land you in the slammer that same day.

Professional career: Losing your license can also result in the loss of your job, particularly if your job requires driving or comes with the perk of a company car. And then when you interview for a new job, some employers will turn you away if they see a DUI or other serious violations after conducting a background check.

Loss of rights: A DUI or other serious violation can be classified as a felony if the incident(s) resulted in severe damage or death. Convicted felons are stripped of a number of rights, such as the right to vote, hold public office, serve on a jury, receive federal aid for higher education, travel overseas etc.

Adoption: Adoption agencies have different policies, but many of them will look at your driving record. A DUI or other serious violation may result in an extensive interview during the home study or may result in outright refusal of your application. The more recent the violation, the more likely it is to affect your eligibility to adopt.

To get the lowest car insurance quotes possible for Oklahoma residents, always drive with caution and respect other drivers who share the road with you. If you do happen to receive a minor ticket, pay it immediately before you have the chance to forget about it. In fact, it’s so important to drive safely that many insurers offer auto insurance discounts to safe drivers. Ask your agent if you qualify for savings today!

Did You Know: In Oklahoma, if you are hit by an uninsured or under-insured motorist, the damage to your car is not covered under this coverage….you’ll need Collision Coverage to pay for the damage to your vehicle! Learn what Von has to say about this important coverage.

Activities that take drivers’ attention off the road, including talking or texting on mobile devices, eating, conversing with passengers and other distractions, are a major safety threat.

In 2014, 3,179 people died in distraction-affected crashes, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) criteria.

The number of state legislatures passing measures that address the problem of driver distractions continues to rise. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving; 46 states and the District of Columbia have banned the practice of texting while driving.

A 2012 Consumer Reports survey found that 71 percent of respondents cut back on texting, talking on a handheld phone or using a smartphone while driving in the previous year. Over 50 percent of them said they were influenced to change their behavior because of state laws, up from 44 percent in a survey conducted in 2011.

DRIVER HAND-HELD CELLPHONE USE BY AGE, 2005-2014 (1)

(1) Percent of drivers using hand-held cellphones.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

2016 Spring Maintenance Guide for Your Home

The rising cost of home insurance in Oklahoma has all of us looking for cheap home insurance or ways to lower your homeowners insurance cost without sacrificing quality coverage.

Did you know that almost all reputable home insurance companies in Oklahoma perform an exterior inspection of your home after you accept a quote or policy and sometimes again at the policy renewal? A poorly maintained home will often result in an Oklahoma homeowner having to accept a home policy or home insurance company that is inferior to others on the market.

When springtime rolls around in Oklahoma almost everyone thinks of cleaning. That’s fine (we probably all need to do a little more of that, after all), but there’s something even more important to keep in mind: home maintenance.

So, when it’s time to set your clocks ahead for daylight-saving time and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, give your home a checkup, too. Here are some suggestions from the Department of Housing and Urban Development:

Interior and appliances

Check the basement and/or crawlspace for any signs of standing water or dripping.

Pull your dryer out and clean the exhaust hose and vent (lint found here is a common cause of house fires).

Vacuum refrigerator/freezer coils for efficiency.

Clean exhaust fan outlets and screens.

Check all air filters and replace, if necessary.

Roof, siding, windows

Check for damage to your roof and have a professional inspection, if necessary.

Go into the attic. If there is visible moisture or discoloration, your roof might be leaking.

Examine the paint on your siding and trim. If it is peeling, you might need new paint to protect against the effects of weather.

Clean debris from gutters and downspouts, and make sure they are draining away from the home.

Trim overhanging tree branches and shrubs.

Remember, winter weather can cause significant damage that is easy to spot, but it often results in wear and tear that homeowners can miss if they aren’t looking closely. It’s well worth it to spend a little time on home maintenance this spring, so that wear and tear doesn’t turn into something more serious.

Mapping the Future to Great Coverage

Please keep Statewide Insurance Agency in mind as your home insurance and auto insurance needs change. Cheap home insurance is available with great service, top companies and quality coverages…. it’s what we offer every day!